INTERVIEW: NICHOLAS MASTORAS
NICHOLAS MASTORAS
PHOTOGRAPHER (ANOTHER STUDIO OWNER)
Interview Oben Budak
Photographer Errikos Andreou
What is your story? Tell us about yourself…
I am an Athens based photographer. I shoot mostly travel and fashion, as well as some personal stuff when I find the time.
When and how did you become interested in photography? At what point did you realise that photography is what you wanted to do as a career?
I studied design history in London many years ago and during that period i took a one year photography course. Time passed and it wasn’t until 2010 that I started getting involved with photography again while I had been working in an advertising agency at the time. In 2013 I took the leap of faith and quit my job, during the recession, to become a full time photographer and make a living out of it.
What are the most difficult aspects of professional fashion photography in Athens? Why?
I feel that Athens is on a revival and I am happy to be right here right now. There are many talented photographers and creatives working in fashion here in Greece and this always poses a difficulty, but at the same time it’s also a huge inspiration to the newer, younger ones who want to get involved. If I had to say that something is difficult, compared to Western Europe for example, is the available clothes that stylists can get their hands on here in Greece. Fashion photography apart from great photos is all about great clothes, accessories, style and I feel that here, in my country, the options could improve.
Athens is a very cool city. Which part is your favourite photo location? Why?
Athens is great, a very alive city that is constantly buzzing. For me the area that I live, near Hilton, is an area I really like and I am so used to. It’s within walking distance from Kolonaki and Syntagma so very convenient to me as these are the areas I hang out most of the time (when I am in Athens that is)!
What experiences helped you take your brand up to the next level?
I can’t really answer this with certainty, but I would probably say acceptance of my work and therefore more confidence in what I do.
You opened your first studio earlier this year. How is it going so far? What are you future goals?
I opened my brand new studio also near Hilton, it’s called Another Studio. Most of my work is on location, therefore the studio to me was not a necessity but more of a side business project. I have many ideas for it and I am trying to put them all down into actions. One of the main ideas is that I want this to become an output of digital content, I want younger creatives to feel that they can join me on this and together create really interesting stuff that will make even a small difference. Obviously the studio is available for rent to other creatives so it does operate and function as a normal studio, but I am aiming for different things, as described above.
What is next on your photography bucket list? Any new project(s)?
There are always new projects coming. I have a lot of work to do to complete work that I have already shot, but one project I am looking forward to is a collaboration with Epson to create a set of images and video about one of their products. Also another great project is in the works with Aegean Air, and as you guessed, it involves travel.For the time being I think I need a long vacation, it’s been a crazy year…
